Automatic bath shower



Dec. 21, 1948.

A. H. HATCHETTE 2, 56,703

AUTOMATIC BATH SHOWER Filed Jan. 16, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR. fl ii. flaZeke ZZe Dem 1943- A. H. HATCHETTE AUTOMATIC BATH SHOWER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 16, 1946 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Dec. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC BATH SHOWER Andrew H. Hatchette, Cleveland, Ohio Application January 16, 1946, Serial No. 641,497

1 Claim.

This invention relates to bath showers, and more particularly to portable showers especially designed as playground equipment.

The object of the invention is to provide a safe recreational bath shower including a vertically movable platform and a valve operated by the platform, whereby the flow of water through the spray pipe is automatically controlled by the Weight of the persons using the shower.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of a bath shower constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the device.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the weight-controlled valve.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the device.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the shower comprises a base indicated generally by the reference character 5, the base being preferably circular in formation and embodying a vertical side wall 6. The base also includes a framework comprising the bar I which extends across the bottom of the body portion and is secured by means of bolts 8, which extend through openings formed in the upstanding ends 9 of the bolts.

The bolts 8 also secure the arms Ill to the base 5, the arms being formed with upwardly and inwardly curved outer ends II that fit around the spray ring I2 to secure the spray ring in position.

The spray ring I2 is formed with groups of discharge openings I3, which discharge openings are so disposed that they direct streams of water upwardly and inwardly towards the center of the area directly above the base.

As clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawings, the upper surface of the base is formed with a depression I4 that provides a housing for the coiled spring I that encircles the stem I 6, which, in turn, carries the substantially cone-shaped valve I! at its lower end. The valve II operates in the valve housing I8, which is formed with a tapered wall to limit the upward movement of the valve I! under the action of the coiled spring I5.

An inlet pipe I9 communicates with the interior of the valve housing I8, to which inlet pipe is connected the hose 20, that is connected with the valve 2I connected with the supply pipe of the water system.

The reference character 22 indicates a flexible pipe that connects with the pipe 23 extending into the valve housing at the opposite side thereof, the flexible pipe 22 being connected with the pipe 24, that extends from the spray ring I2, so that water passing through the valve will be directed to the spray ring, to accomplish the purpose of the invention.

The portable spray also includes a movable platform 25 which is circular in formation and fits over the base 5, the circular wall 26 of the platform 25 being disposed in spaced relation with the vertical side wall of the base, so that the movable platform will move freely. The stem I6 is connected with the under-surface of the movable platform 25 at a point centrally thereof, so that vertical movement of the platform will result in a relative vertical movement of the valve H, to accomplish the purpose of the invention.

Rising from the upper surface of the base 5, are guides 21, in which the guide pins 28 move, the guide pins operating to maintain the movable platform in its proper position at all times. Coiled springs 28 surround the guides 21 and guide pins 28, to normally urge the platform upwardly.

In the operation of the device, persons using the shower will stand on the movable platform 25. The weight of the person will cause downward movement of the platform, with the result that the valve I'I moves to a position below the inlet pipe I 9, whereupon water passes directly through the valve housing I8 to the spray ring I2, where the water is exhausted in groups of fine streams, towards the area directly above the platform, or portion of the device on which the person is standing.

When the person steps off of the platform, the spring I5 and springs 29 urge the platform upwardly, with the result that the valve I1 is returned to the position as shown by Figure 3 of the drawings, cutting off the supply of water to the spray ring.

Due to this construction. the operation of the valve is automatic and the shower is portable, that is to say that the shower may be moved to various positions within certain bounds, depending on the length and location of the supply pipe and spigot to which the flexible pipe supplying the water to the spray ring, is connected.

What is claimed is:

A portable shower bath comprising a circular base having vertical side Walls and having an open bottom, arms extending an appreciable distance outwardly from the base, a spray ring having discharge openings fitted around the base, the outer ends of the arms being curved around the spray 5 ring, securing the ring in position, a water supply pipe connected with the spray ring, a valve in the Water supply pipe controlling the passage of water therethrough, a circular platform fitted over the vertical side walls of the base in spaced relation therewith, springs disposed between the platform and base, normally holding the platform elevated, and said valve being connected with the movable REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 347,430 Lambert Aug. 17, 1886 1 1,273,311 Barnes July 23, 1918 Sloan May 26, 1936 

